Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 38

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Colombia.

It seems as if slim Panama

Is like a hair fixed to the head

Of old Colombia. You draw

A line up to our South—we’re wed

By plain geography (of course).

In Bogota the capital,

We find in ways, I fear, the source

Of illegality. The hull

Of some vast pirate ship of drugs

That sails with some impunity—

And all controlled by vicious thugs

Who seek, of course, immunity.

But coffee beans are big, as well—

And jungles, mountains—beauties rare—

And here I fear that I could tell

I’d miss the coffee (taste so rare!)

If old Colombia should fall.

So here let’s cheer the coffee beans—

And curse the drugs, oh, one and all—

And revel in pure nature’s scenes.

Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 37

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

China.

A long and storied history—

A language most of us don’t know.

An alphabet—a mystery.

A population that can grow.

A menu popular abroad.

A varied, wild geography.

Pollution we can’t much applaud.

Not much of a democracy.

But oh the vast potential there—

The human talents on display,

And hope, we hope, is everywhere—

A brighter future on the way.

Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 36

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Chile.

It is that long and skinny one—

The one that’s mountainous and right

Along the coast. And, oh, the sight

Of Andes’ peaks—surpassed by none.

It reaches almost to the tip—

Its continental coast. And there

The winds attack—that frenzied air—

And threaten every passing ship.

Alpacas roam the mountain range—

And lots of other creatures wild

Delight the eye—and have beguiled

The visitors who seek the strange.

Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 35

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Chad.

And yet another landlocked land

In central Africa—yes, Chad.

So every single place you stand

You see no ocean—kind of bad.

Geography is varied there—

Savanna, wetland, desert, too.

So you can breathe all kinds of air—

And see a roaming, open zoo.

The elephant, gazelle there roam—

Hyenas, leopards every place.

The slower critters stay at home:

They know the cheetah wins the race.

Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 34

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Central African Republic (CAR).

It sits there in the heart of all

Of Africa, surrounded by

Some other lands. And there such tall

Impressive trees, expansive sky

Above savannas. It was once

A colony of France. But then

Some freedom came. A boy (a dunce)

(’Twas I), oh, very way back when

Could not on one perplexing quiz

Identify the CAR.

A sorry grade ensued. (A whiz

I wasn't—not enough to bar

Me from a future—such relief!)

But now I see it on a map—

My years of duncehood—very brief.

Geography! No more a sap!

Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 33

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Canada.

At last! A place that I have been!

I’ve been there quite a bit—

The Yukon to Ontario—

And both were such a hit!

The Yukon taught me history—

Ontario, the Bard.

The Stratford Festival is great—

Though Shakespeare can be … hard.

And once I went to Montreal—

I was too young to learn

And went to see a movie there—

A choice that makes me burn.

I could have gone to see the sites—

And learned a thing or two.

Instead—some popcorn, cowboy flick—

I really had no clue.

But, Canada, you’re looking good—

Especially of late.

Perhaps it’s time for you and me

o make another date?

Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 32

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Cameroon.

I think I'd like go—and soon—

To visit distant Cameroon.

(I’ll win the Lotto!—Yes!—in June!)

Both French and English spoken there—

So I could travel anywhere

And really get along … well … fair.

Their animals—so fun to see.

And all the splendid scenery.

I’d like the mixed geography.

Oh, I will get there, soon, somehow.

That Lotto thing—I here now vow:

I’m off to buy a ticket now!